Discouragement.

Since I feel too kind to reply to your email personally, I will reply on here. Since I know you would never read my blog.

I will start by answering your questions.

1 - I am in 9th Grade.
2 - Right now with Madison, I am working on the Bach Concerto in A minor. I recently finished the Vivaldi Concerto mvmts 1/3.
3 - I am not using the book position etudes.
4 - I have no problem with 2 octave arpeggios, and I am learning 3 octave scales.
5 - Every day, I have from the time I get home (around 3:30) until I feel like going to bed to practice. On the weekends, I have basically all day Saturday to practice. Sunday I am in South Bend and I do homework.
6 - I would not have to give up any activities to practice 2-3 hours a day. I get bored, and I play for that long. I'm not on the computer that much. Maybe if I had something to actually practice, I could make good use of my time.
7 - Last year for ISSMA, I played the Gavotte from Book 3 and I got a 9.5 rating. I have improved so much since then.

You have not heard me play privately in a lesson for almost two years. You have no idea what I sound like at this present moment in time. I have improved so much over the summer.

Of the pieces on Interlochen's list, only one is required. Not all. I wanted to do the Bruch concerto. Not that you want to know or anything, but I can already play half of it. If I did that, I could also compete with the SBYSO in the Concerto competition. Not that you'd come to watch anyway.

Although you strongly believe in the order of the suzuki books, I strongly believe that I can do whatever I put my mind to. And honestly, that is what matters to me.

I want to grow up and be a violinist. I want to perform, and I want to teach. I would like to go to Yale College as an undergraduate and double major in performance and Education. I wouldn't mind giving private lessons. But I want to be the type of teacher that is willing to work on what my student wants - If I see that my student is eager to learn, I will teach them all I can. I won't hold them back.

And I won't ever discourage them.

End of an Era - Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls.

V1.
Don’t you ever wonder what
Will happen when it ends?
How can we let go of the
Ones who we call friends?
And I know, it’s only a story, but
For so many it’s more than that.
It’s a world, all on its own where we
Want to put on that Sorting Hat.

Chorus.
I will miss the train ride in.
And the pranks pulled by the twins.
And though it’s nowhere I have been
I’ll keep on smiling from the times I had with them.

V2.
Could there ever be again
Another one like this?
One that’s brought us together and
Started its own music movement?

Bridge.
Soon we will see it closed.
The final chapter exposed.
It’s an end of an era
And I’m seeing clearer
That nothing will ever be the same.

List of Accomplishments.

6th Grade
______________________________________________
Goshen Middle School 6th Grade Orchestra
ISSMA Solo and Ensemble - Gold Ensemble Rating
Varsity Volleyball Team
Junior Varsity Basketball Team

7th Grade
______________________________________________
Goshen Middle School 7th Grade Orchestra
ISSMA Solo and Ensemble - Gold Ensemble Rating
ISSMA Solo and Ensemble - Silver Solo Rating
Private Violin Lessons
ASTA All-Region Orchestra Festival Participant
- Honored for Achievement by Goshen Community School Board
Elkhart County Junior Youth Honors Orchestra
Goshen Middle School Yearbook Committee
Goshen Middle School Ski Club
National Junior Honor Society
Varsity Volleyball Team


8th Grade
_____________________________________________
Goshen Middle School 8th Grade Orchestra
ISSMA Solo and Ensemble - Gold Ensemble (1) Rating
ISSMA Solo and Ensemble - Gold Ensemble (2) Rating
ISSMA Solo and Ensemble - Gold Solo Rating
Private Violin Lessons
ASTA All-Region Orchestra Festival Participant
Goshen College Vivace Ensemble
Maple City Chamber Orchestra
Goshen Middle School Yearbook Committee
Goshen Middle School Teen Court
Goshen Middle School Student Council
Goshen Middle School Ski Club
Goshen Middle School Builder’s Club (Secretary)
National Junior Honor Society
Who’s Who Academic Excellence Award

9th Grade
_____________________________________________
Goshen High School Philharmonic Orchestra
ISSMA Solo and Ensemble -
Private Violin Lessons
Maple City Chamber Orchestra
Elkhart County Youth Honors Orchestra
South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestra
Goshen Summer Youth Orchestra
Beginning Orchestra Volunteer
Goshen High School Student Government (Secretary)
Goshen High School French Club